2013/06/10

Frédérique Constant and The Riva Historical Society Join Together to Salute the Majestic Runabouts

 

When Runabouts ruled the waves
Back in the Roaring Twenties, when the whole world seemed to be taking part in a decade-long party, the beautiful bodies that turned heads on the planet’s finest beaches didn’t belong to movie stars. They were the gleaming, hand polished, wooden-hulled and chrome-bedecked boats known as Runabouts. The throaty roar of powerful engines driving these sleek crafts over pristine, crystal clear water lifted the spirits and inspired the passions of the countless thousands who were privileged enough to witness the Runabouts in their heyday.

The Riva Historical Society...guardians of a wonderful legacy
In 1998, the Riva Historical Society was founded in Milan, Italy. The primary objective of the RHS is to locate and aid in the conservation of classic runabout boats that were designed by the passionate boating enthusiast, Mr Carlo Riva. The RHS achieves this objective by helping Riva Runabout owners maintain their boats and restore them to their former glory.

This year, Swiss watch manufacturer Frédérique Constant has joined forces with the Riva Historical Society; together, they salute the crafts that epitomised the sophistication and easy elegance of that wondrous time when the world seemed happy and relaxed.

Two models, three versions...one proud name
The new Runabout Moonphase Riva Historical Society Limited Edition Collection exudes the same self-assured personality as the boats for which they are named.
All watches in the new Runabout Moonphase Riva Historical Society range will be produced in a strictly limited edition of 1,888 pieces. Each will be presented in a totally unique, specially designed gift box with a certificate of authenticity and an incredibly detailed miniature Runabout boat.

The first of the new models is powered by the FC-330 caliber and comes in two versions. The automatic stainless steel version comes with a wondrously luminous moonphase aperture at the 6 o’clock position. The rich silvered dial offers an impressive backdrop to the intricate guilloché in the centre of the dial and the hand-applied, pearl black Arabic numerals.

Other features include a convex sapphire crystal and the incredibly popular see-through case back. To acknowledge our partnership with the Riva Historical Society, the RHS flag is proudly displayed on the case back glass.

As well as the Moonphase display, the new timepieces feature hours, minutes, seconds and a date pointer. As reliable as they are elegant, each watch in the new range is water resistant to 100 metres below sea level, and offer an impressive 38-hour power reserve.

The stainless steel version is completed by a luxurious black leather strap with a folding buckle.

The FC-330 also appears with the 43mm case plated in rose gold. The silvered dial with the guilloché decoration contrasts dramatically with the hand-applied rose gold plated Arabic numerals. The remaining watch features are identical to those of the stainless steel model, and a dark brown leather strap is a perfect complement to the rose gold case.

The ultimate salute to history
The second model in the RHS collection is powered by the FC-720- Automatic Manufacture Power reserve caliber, offering an exceptional 42-hour power reserve. And that’s just the start of the exceptional range of features built into this stunning timepiece.

As well as the hours, minutes and date displays, the FC-720RM6B4 also features a power reserve indicator just beneath the 12 o’clock position. In addition, the convex sapphire crystal boasts a dynamic propellor on the see-through case back.

For this model, the silver dial features a stunning Pavé de Paris guilloché design. Both the hand-applied Arabic numerals and the minute indexes are plated rose gold, and the dark brown leather strap with folding buckle finishes off this exceptionally elegant piece.

Rich, dark, hand-polished wood...gleaming, hand-polished rose gold and stainless steel...chrome fittings that sparkle in the sun...silver dials as pristine as Lake Geneva...powerful engines roaring gleefully in the afternoon sun...silent calibers, as technologically advanced as any in the world, reliably driving an automatic watch for days on end...the similarity between the classic runabout boats and the watches they inspired is no accident. Passion breeds passion, whether on land, sea or mountain lake. To the magnificent Runabout boats, past and present...we salute you.